The last 10 days have been a whirl wind of new places, people and ideas. In the previous blog I shared a few of the things we had done, but the list has expanded since then. There are many stories behind the places we went, but I want to mainly give you a picture diary.
On the first day we went to constitution hill in Johannesburg. It is historical site where Winnie and Nelson Mandela, as well as many other political prisoners, were imprisoned. It is now the location of the constitution court. They have taken the bricks used for oppression and built a place that is working towards freedom; which is an amazing story of redemption.
(The sign for constitution court in the 11 official languages)
(The women's prison block)
On Sunday we visited the Apartheid museum. This was an informative and heart wrenching place to visit. All over the world there have been times when the things people have done to each other makes you want to weep, but it is always hard when you are exposed to the ways we dehumanize each other.
(The pillars outside the museum, showing the rights in the now South African Constitution)
We also visited Soweto, which stands for South Western Township, while we were in Johannesburg. The tower below was part of a power generating station, which provided electricity for elsewhere in the country. It was been reclaimed and used as a mural of what life in Soweto is like.
We had the opportunity to visit an orphanage as well, but I do not have any pictures. It was a family that started by taking in a few black babies, as Apartheid was ending. Since then the scoop of the place has expanded to having over 70 children.
After Johannesburg we took a car trip down to Pietermaritzburg, which was a fun bonding experience. It was also interesting to see some of the South African landscape.
(On the road)
We have been staying with our country reps here in Pietermaritzburg. It has been a great time of relaxing, learning and feeling like a new family. We got to visit the work places of those team members working in South Africa.
There is a diverse project that is housed the grounds of an old prison (another story of redeeming the old). My team members will be working on a variety of projects, including working at the school.
(Walking through the old prison walls)
(The school at the project)
2 people will be in Durban, working with refugees and children.
(The courtyard in the building where the Refugee Services has offices)
We also got to go to the beach while we were in Durban, which was wonderful! My first time swimming in the Indian Ocean!
(Yeah the Ocean!)
(What a beautiful city)
On friday we got the chance to visit a traditional Zulu homestead. It was similar to a living museum experience, except that the people who worked there had actually lived in a homestead similar to the once we visited. They showed us around the houses and let us try some of the jobs, like milking cows and grinding sorghum by stone. They also fed us a traditional meal and performed some dances and stick fighting. We were able to try out the dancing and fighting as well, which was fun.
(A sword fighting demonstration)
This past weekend we have had a spiritual retreat at the house we are staying at. It was focused on transition. We talked about three stages: saying good-bye, being present in God's presence, and Welcome. It was a helpful and thoughtful time. Now we are all on our way to our assignments. Those in South Africa went to their host families today, and I will be leaving for Lesotho first thing in the morning!
As I have been thinking about going to my assignment, I am excited to meet my host family and the people at Growing Nations. I am nervous about meeting so many people at once, but I am glad that the time is finally here!
